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1840–1928

THE COMING OF THE END

Thomas Hardy

How it came to an end! The meeting afar from the crowd, And the love-looks and laughters unpenned, The parting when much was avowed,

How it came to an end! It came to an end; Yes, the outgazing over the stream, With the sun on each serpentine bend,

Or, later, the luring moon-gleam; It came to an end. It came to an end, The housebuilding, furnishing, planting,

As if there were ages to spend In welcoming, feasting, and jaunting; It came to an end. It came to an end,

That journey of one day a week: ( “It always goes on,” said a friend, “Just the same in bright weathers or bleak;” ) But it came to an end.

“HOW will come to an end This orbit so smoothly begun, Unless some convulsion attend?” I often said. “What will be done

When it comes to an end?” Well, it came to an end Quite silently — stopped without jerk; Better close no prevision could lend;

Working out as One planned it should work Ere it came to an end.

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THE COMING OF THE END · Thomas Hardy · Poetry Cove